Manro Performance Chemicals

About Manro Performance Chemicals

Manro Performance Chemicals, now known as Stepan UK Limited, is a manufacturer of specialty chemicals and surface-active agents, commonly called surfactants. In 1996, the company was acquired from Hickson International by HSBC Private Equity in a management buyout. Subsequently, in September 2001, HSBC Private Equity sold the Cheshire-based Manro Performance Chemicals to Stepan Europe, a subsidiary of the U.S. chemical manufacturer Stepan Company.

The company's chemical products serve a variety of applications, including soap-free cleansing agents, household detergents, industrial cleaning, metalworking, and products for skin, oral, and hair care. The acquisition by Stepan was aimed at achieving critical mass, expanding geographical coverage, and providing access to a broader product portfolio to meet growing customer demands. At the time of the sale in 2001, the company was based in Stalybridge, UK, with 120 employees and sales revenues of $44 million.